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Some dental emergencies happen suddenly, while others can occur in a subtle way. Sometimes, it’s hard to know whether you have a dental emergency. Here are some ways to tell if you need urgent dental care and if you should see an emergency dentist near you in Phoenix.
When you feel pain that only grows worse and refuses to subside, then you may have a dental emergency. The increasing pain and its severity can indicate an issue beyond the average cavity.
For example, tooth pain can come from a tooth fracture or infection. Additionally, if you have a toothache and over-the-counter pain medications aren’t helping, it is a good idea to see an emergency dentist sooner rather than later.
If, for any reason, you end up with a broken, fractured, or knocked-out tooth, you should seek urgent dental care. The problem here, especially with a knocked-out tooth, is in attempting to save the tooth.
With a broken or fractured tooth, you can experience a great deal of pain, or the jagged edges of the fractured tooth can cut the insides of your mouth, delivering even more pain and potential complications, such as an infection.
Your permanent teeth should not move or feel loose in your mouth. If a tooth is knocked out or out of place, do not ignore it, as this could be a dental emergency. Sometimes, these issues can indicate more significant oral issues or even an injury to your mouth.
If you are experiencing constant or excessive bleeding, you have a dental emergency. The bleeding can mean gum disease, infection, or injury.
If you feel swelling around a tooth or you have an abscess, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with an infection. Infections need immediate treatment. Other signs of infection can include pus around the tooth and bleeding.
Losing or damaging a restoration can create complications for the tooth it supports and your overall dental health. The damaged or missing restoration can lead to pain, further damage to the tooth, and exposure of the tooth and nerve to infection. A metallic or bitter taste in your mouth can serve as a warning.
Trauma to the mouth can become an immediate dental crisis if it leads to any type of damage to your teeth and gums. That trauma, whether from sport, play, or accident, can come in the form of broken teeth, missing teeth, or damage to the jaw and the soft tissue that supports your teeth.
While many of these things aren’t always a dental emergency, you should treat them as such. Let an emergency dentist decide how best to proceed. If you’re dealing with a dental situation and need urgent dental care, call (480) 893-3072 to schedule an appointment with Drs. Anthony Quihuis, Vanessa Quihuis, and the team at Shine Dental Arts in Phoenix, AZ.